Mountain biker in hospital following Clare accident

By Patrick Flynn

A man in his 20s is recovering in hospital after he was injured in a mountain biking accident in Co Clare.

The man was part of a group of seven that had been biking on Gleninagh Mountain near Blackhead in the north of the county.

It is understood that the man fell from his bike and was knocked unconscious.

A HSE ambulance responded to the incident while the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard was also requested to assist.

It had been originally reported that the casualty was injured and unconscious at the top of the mountain.

The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, was requested to airlift the casualty to hospital.

After being assessed by paramedics, it was decided that the cyclist could be transported to hospital by road and the helicopter was re-tasked for another operation.

The casualty was taken by ambulance to Galway University Hospital for treatment.